Vantage FX vs IG Index

Vantage FX or IG Index – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare Vantage FX and IG Index in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Vantage FX vs IG Index Comparison Table 2024
Vantage FX IG Index
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4.7
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4.4
Vantage FX is ranked #18 among CFD brokers. IG Index is ranked #16 among CFD brokers.
Review
Review
Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools. Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Pros
  • Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC
  • Vantage has bolstered its algorithmic trading tools for advanced traders with AutoFibo EA identifying reversal opportunities
  • The ECN accounts are very competitive with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1.50 commission per side
  • There’s an excellent suite of trading software, including the award-winning platforms MT4 and MT5
  • The broker has recently made efforts to expand its suite of CFDs providing further trading opportunities
  • Vantage caters to hands-off investors with beginner-friendly social trading via ZuluTrade & Myfxbook
  • The low minimum deposit of $50 and zero funding fees make this broker a great choice for new traders
  • There are no short-term strategy restrictions with hedging and scalping permitted
  • It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 5 minutes
  • IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, providing ample diversification opportunities
  • The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for trading
  • The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our Best Trading App award
  • As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust
  • IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met
Cons
  • It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
  • A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
  • The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
  • Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients
  • Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
  • While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients
  • IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders
  • Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests
  • IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
Awards
  • Best Broker Australia - Ultimate Fintech Awards 2022
  • Best In CFD Trading 2022 - The European Global Banking & Finance Awards 2022
  • Best Trading App - Professional Trader Awards 2022
  • Best Trade Execution - Global Forex Awards 2023
  • Best Customer Service 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Spread Betting Provider 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Platform for the Active Trader 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Multi Platform Provider 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Finance App 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
FCA Regulated
Yes Yes
Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Spread betting CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$50 $0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App

Vantage offers one of the most complete trading apps we’ve used. The crisp design and slick interface makes analyzing markets and placing trades straightforward. Changing to horizontal mode offers an optimal charting view, though frustratingly it can take a few seconds for the app to respond. Fortunately, this minor drawback is outweighed by the ease of overlaying indicators and drawing tools, plus the integrated economic calendar, newsfeed, market analysis, and even FX TV.

IG offers a superb all-round trading app. One of the pioneers of mobile trading, the application has been developed and refined over many years, meaning it is now among the best trading apps. Quick response, user-friendly layout, access to full charting and a stable and reliable application. It also offers guaranteed stops – an important risk management tool not available on many apps we’ve tested.
iOS App Rating
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3.6
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4.6
Android App Rating
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3.9
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4
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
Margin Rate
2.5%
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
Yes No
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
Yes No
Autochartist
No Yes
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
Yes No
DMA Account
No Yes
MAM Account
Yes No
PAMM Account
Yes No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No Yes
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
No Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Auto Trading
Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime
Copy Trading
Yes No
Copy Trading Platform
Traders enjoy social and copy trading at Vantage with the MetaTrader packages, DupliTrade, ZuluTrade and Myfxbook. ZuluTrade is one of the best social trading communities, using a sophisticated algorithm to rank top signal providers.
Social Trading
Yes No
Trade Signals
Yes Yes
VPS Hosting
Yes Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
Yes No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No Yes
Inactivity Fee
$0 $12
Islamic Account
Yes No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • JPY
  • HKD
  • SGD
  • PLN
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • ZAR
  • SEK
  • DKK
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Gasoline
  • Copper
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Orange Juice
  • Cotton
  • Sugar
  • Wheat
  • Oil
  • Natural Gas
  • Gold
  • Copper
  • Oil
  • Palladium
  • Silver
  • Sugar
  • Coffee
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
  • Soybeans
  • Orange Juice
  • Nickel
  • Steel
  • Iron
  • Precious Metals
  • Aluminium
  • Lithium
  • Cannabis
  • Lean Hogs
  • Cattle
CFD
Traders can speculate on 1000+ financial markets with high leverage up to 1:500. You can bet on rising and falling prices in currencies, commodities, indices, shares, and more without owning the underlying asset. With the comprehensive choice of CFD trading platforms, users can also switch between desktop, web and mobile for a seamless trading experience. IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
Leverage
1:500 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
FTSE Spread
1.0 1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
0.5 0.9
Oil Spread
0.01 2.8
Stocks Spread
0.01 0.02
Forex
Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges. IG offers an above-average suite of 80+ currency pairs on its proprietary web platform, mobile app or MetaTrader 4, with more advanced charts and forex analysis tools available on the ProRealTime software. Forex spreads are competitive based on tests, starting from 0.1 pips on majors like the EUR/USD.
Assets
55+ 80+
GBPUSD Spread
0.5 0.9
EURUSD Spread
0.0 0.8
EURGBP Spread
0.5 0.9
Currency Indices
  • USD
  • USD
Vantage FX IG Index
Review
Review
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
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